SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TTM Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTMI) (“TTM”), a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions including mission systems, radio frequency (“RF”) components and RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies and printed circuit boards (“PCB”s) has expanded its Radio Frequency and Specialty Components ("RF&S") product offering by releasing a family of components supporting telecom band n104, an emerging band extension for 5.5G applications. This release includes 18 new balun transformers, hybrid couplers, power dividers, RF crossovers, and terminations. These new products deliver superior performance and are an exceptionally effective overall cost solution with industry-standard Xinger® brand reliability. They have been specifically designed for needs in the 6.4 – 7.2 GHz band. For more information on the availability or to find a stocking distributor, please visit ttm.com. The RF&S Components Business Unit (“BU”) of TTM designs, manufactures, and sells custom high-frequency solutions and Xinger® brand standard components for wireless infrastructure, defense electronics, and test and measurement electronics markets. About TTM TTM Technologies, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions, including mission systems, radio frequency (“RF”) components, RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, and quick-turn and technologically advanced printed circuit boards (“PCB”s). TTM stands for time-to-market, representing how TTM's time-critical, one-stop manufacturing services enable customers to shorten the time required to develop new products and bring them to market. Additional information can be found at www.ttm.com. Contacts:Government departments are on a collision course with unions unsatisfied with proposals to raise pay for more than a million public sector workers by 2.8% next year. Inflation is predicted to average 2.5% this year and 2.6% next year, according to forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility. The British Medical Association said the Government showed a “poor grasp” of unresolved issues from two years of industrial action, and the Royal College of Nursing called the pay recommendation “deeply offensive”. The National Education Union’s chief said teachers were “putting the Government on notice” that the proposed increase “won’t do”. The pay recommendations came after Chancellor Rachel Reeves called for every Government department to cut costs by 5%, as she started work on a sweeping multi-year spending review to be published in 2025. Independent pay review bodies will consider the proposals for pay rises for teachers, NHS workers and senior civil servants. The Department of Health said it viewed 2.8% as a “reasonable amount” to set aside, in its recommendations to the NHS Pay Review Body and the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration Board remit groups. A 2.8% pay rise for teachers in 2025/26 would “maintain the competitiveness of teachers’ pay despite the challenging financial backdrop the Government is facing”, the Department for Education said. The Cabinet Office also suggested pay increases for senior civil servants should be kept to no more than 2.8%. Paul Johnson, director of the influential economics think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said it was “not a bad ballpark figure” and feels “just about affordable” given the Government’s public spending plans. The downside, he said, is that public sector workers have lost out since 2010 and unions will be upset that this is not making up the gap, he told Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge. “But given the constraints facing the Chancellor I think it’s pretty hard to argue for more for public sector pay when public sector services ... are under real strain,” he said. Unions expressed their disappointment in the recommendations, with some hinting they could be willing to launch industrial action. The Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive called for “open direct talks now” to avoid “further escalation to disputes and ballots”. Professor Nicola Ranger said: “The Government has today told nursing staff they are worth as little as £2 extra a day, less than the price of a coffee. “Nursing is in crisis – there are fewer joining and too many experienced professionals leaving. This is deeply offensive to nursing staff, detrimental to their patients and contradictory to hopes of rebuilding the NHS. “The public understands the value of nursing and they know that meaningful reform of the NHS requires addressing the crisis in nursing. “We pulled out of the Pay Review Body process, alongside other unions, because it is not the route to address the current crisis. “That has been demonstrated today. “Fair pay must be matched by structural reform. Let’s open direct talks now and avoid further escalation to disputes and ballots – I have said that directly to government today.” Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the British Medical Association’s council, urged the sector’s pay review body to “show it is now truly independent”. “For this Government to give evidence to the doctors’ and dentists’ pay review body (DDRB) believing a 2.8% pay rise is enough, indicates a poor grasp of the unresolved issues from two years of industrial action,” he said. He said the proposal is far below the current rate of inflation and that the Government was “under no illusion” when doctors accepted pay offers in the summer that there was a “very real risk of further industrial action” if “pay erosion” was not addressed in future pay rounds. “This sub-inflationary suggestion from the current Government serves as a test to the DDRB. “The BMA expects it to take this opportunity to show it is now truly independent, to take an objective view of the evidence it receives from all parties, not just the Government, and to make an offer that reflects the value of doctors’ skills and expertise in a global market, and that moves them visibly further along the path to full pay restoration.” The NEU’s general secretary, Daniel Kebede, said teachers’ pay had been cut by more than one-fifth in real terms since 2010. “Along with sky-high workload, the pay cuts have resulted in a devastating recruitment and retention crisis. Teacher shortages across the school system hit pupils and parents too. “A 2.8% increase is likely to be below inflation and behind wage increases in the wider economy. This will only deepen the crisis in education.” In a hint that there could be a return to industrial action he added: “NEU members fought to win the pay increases of 2023 and 2024. “We are putting the Government on notice. Our members care deeply about education and feel the depth of the crisis. This won’t do.” The offer for teachers is the “exact opposite of fixing the foundations” and will result in bigger class sizes and more cuts to the curriculum, Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The inadequacy of the proposed pay award is compounded by the Government’s intention that schools should foot the bill out of their existing allocations. “Given that per-pupil funding will increase on average by less than 1% next year, and the Government’s proposal is for an unfunded 2.8% pay award, it is obvious that this is in fact an announcement of further school cuts.” Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: This recommendation falls far short of what is needed to restore the competitiveness of the teaching profession, to enable it to retain experienced professionals and attract new talent. Unison head of health Helga Pile said: “The Government has inherited a financial mess from its predecessors, but this is not what NHS workers wanted to hear. “Staff are crucial in turning around the fortunes of the NHS. Improving performance is a key Government pledge, but the pay rise proposed is barely above the cost of living.”
NoneA Closer Look at Wells Fargo's Options Market Dynamics(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .
'Why do we need to rush?' California's Lake County may have the nation's slowest elections department
MADISON, Wis. — Vladislav Goldin scored a career-high 24 points — including three straight baskets inside down the stretch — and Michigan defeated No. 11 Wisconsin 67-64 on Tuesday night in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Michigan (7-1, 1-0) won its sixth straight and handed Wisconsin (8-1, 0-1) its first loss of the season. Goldin, a 7-foot-1 graduate student who followed new Michigan coach Dusty May from Florida Atlantic, scored 17 points after halftime and put the Wolverines ahead for good on a layup with 1:35 left. Danny Wolf added 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists, five blocks and three steals for Michigan. John Tonje scored 18 and John Blackwell 16 for Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s Max Klesmit missed three shots in the last 73 seconds that would have tied the game or put the Badgers ahead. Michigan led 67-64 when Goldin missed the front end of a one-and-one with 2.6 seconds left. Tonje got about one-third of the way up the court before firing a desperation shot that bounced off the back rim at the buzzer. Takeaways Michigan: The Wolverines withstood a scoreless performance from Tre Donaldson, who had been averaging a team-high 13 points per game. After shooting just 7 of 33 from the floor in the first half, Michigan was 16 of 26 in the second half. Michigan guard Nimari Burnett (4) scores a 3-point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Madison, Wis. Credit: AP/Kayla Wolf Wisconsin: The Badgers shot only 34.4% from the floor. They also made just 73.7% of their free throws (14 of 19). Wisconsin entered the night shooting a Division I-best 86.4% on free throws. Key moment Goldin took over the game in the closing minutes. His dunk cut Wisconsin's lead to 64-63 with 2:23 left. After a steal by Michigan's Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle Jr. found Goldin for a lay-in that put the Wolverines ahead. Goldin capped his personal 6-0 run by making a hook shot with 22.9 seconds remaining. Key stats Michigan blocked 11 shots. This was its first game with at least 10 blocks since Nov. 23, 2022, when the Wolverines had 13 against Jackson State. Up next Both teams play again Saturday, with Michigan hosting Iowa, and Wisconsin visiting No. 5 Marquette.Congressman Claims Drones Over New Jersey Were Launched by Iranian ‘Mothership’
Inflation is predicted to average 2.5% this year and 2.6% next year, according to forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility. The British Medical Association said the Government showed a “poor grasp” of unresolved issues from two years of industrial action, and the Royal College of Nursing called the pay recommendation “deeply offensive”. The National Education Union’s chief said teachers were “putting the Government on notice” that the proposed increase “won’t do”. The pay recommendations came after Chancellor Rachel Reeves called for every Government department to cut costs by 5%, as she started work on a sweeping multi-year spending review to be published in 2025. Independent pay review bodies will consider the proposals for pay rises for teachers, NHS workers and senior civil servants. The Department of Health said it viewed 2.8% as a “reasonable amount” to set aside, in its recommendations to the NHS Pay Review Body and the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration Board remit groups. A 2.8% pay rise for teachers in 2025/26 would “maintain the competitiveness of teachers’ pay despite the challenging financial backdrop the Government is facing”, the Department for Education said. The Cabinet Office also suggested pay increases for senior civil servants should be kept to no more than 2.8%. Paul Johnson, director of the influential economics think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said it was “not a bad ballpark figure” and feels “just about affordable” given the Government’s public spending plans. The downside, he said, is that public sector workers have lost out since 2010 and unions will be upset that this is not making up the gap, he told Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge. “But given the constraints facing the Chancellor I think it’s pretty hard to argue for more for public sector pay when public sector services ... are under real strain,” he said. Unions expressed their disappointment in the recommendations, with some hinting they could be willing to launch industrial action. The Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive called for “open direct talks now” to avoid “further escalation to disputes and ballots”. Professor Nicola Ranger said: “The Government has today told nursing staff they are worth as little as £2 extra a day, less than the price of a coffee. “Nursing is in crisis – there are fewer joining and too many experienced professionals leaving. This is deeply offensive to nursing staff, detrimental to their patients and contradictory to hopes of rebuilding the NHS. “The public understands the value of nursing and they know that meaningful reform of the NHS requires addressing the crisis in nursing. “We pulled out of the Pay Review Body process, alongside other unions, because it is not the route to address the current crisis. “That has been demonstrated today. “Fair pay must be matched by structural reform. Let’s open direct talks now and avoid further escalation to disputes and ballots – I have said that directly to government today.” Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the British Medical Association’s council, urged the sector’s pay review body to “show it is now truly independent”. “For this Government to give evidence to the doctors’ and dentists’ pay review body (DDRB) believing a 2.8% pay rise is enough, indicates a poor grasp of the unresolved issues from two years of industrial action,” he said. He said the proposal is far below the current rate of inflation and that the Government was “under no illusion” when doctors accepted pay offers in the summer that there was a “very real risk of further industrial action” if “pay erosion” was not addressed in future pay rounds. “This sub-inflationary suggestion from the current Government serves as a test to the DDRB. “The BMA expects it to take this opportunity to show it is now truly independent, to take an objective view of the evidence it receives from all parties, not just the Government, and to make an offer that reflects the value of doctors’ skills and expertise in a global market, and that moves them visibly further along the path to full pay restoration.” The NEU’s general secretary, Daniel Kebede, said teachers’ pay had been cut by more than one-fifth in real terms since 2010. “Along with sky-high workload, the pay cuts have resulted in a devastating recruitment and retention crisis. Teacher shortages across the school system hit pupils and parents too. “A 2.8% increase is likely to be below inflation and behind wage increases in the wider economy. This will only deepen the crisis in education.” In a hint that there could be a return to industrial action he added: “NEU members fought to win the pay increases of 2023 and 2024. “We are putting the Government on notice. Our members care deeply about education and feel the depth of the crisis. This won’t do.” The offer for teachers is the “exact opposite of fixing the foundations” and will result in bigger class sizes and more cuts to the curriculum, Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The inadequacy of the proposed pay award is compounded by the Government’s intention that schools should foot the bill out of their existing allocations. “Given that per-pupil funding will increase on average by less than 1% next year, and the Government’s proposal is for an unfunded 2.8% pay award, it is obvious that this is in fact an announcement of further school cuts.” Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: This recommendation falls far short of what is needed to restore the competitiveness of the teaching profession, to enable it to retain experienced professionals and attract new talent. Unison head of health Helga Pile said: “The Government has inherited a financial mess from its predecessors, but this is not what NHS workers wanted to hear. “Staff are crucial in turning around the fortunes of the NHS. Improving performance is a key Government pledge, but the pay rise proposed is barely above the cost of living.”Visa Inc. Cl A stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Robbie Avila's 19 points helped Saint Louis defeat winless Chicago State 85-62 on Sunday. Avila also had seven rebounds for the Billikens (6-3). Gibson Jimerson added 18 points and seven rebounds. Kalu Anya had 14 points. The Cougars (0-11) were led in scoring by Noble Crawford, who finished with 18 points. Jalen Forrest added 13 points and seven rebounds. Troy McCoy finished with 11 points. Saint Louis took the lead with 13:38 remaining in the first half and never looked back. Avila led their team in scoring with 12 points in the first half to help put them up 41-33 at the break. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
TEANECK, N.J. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Biopharma USA , the commercial operations and distribution company of GC Biopharma, has announced the appointment of industry veteran, Sean Zam , to its senior leadership team as Head of Sales and Marketing. He comes to GC Biopharma USA with a wealth of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including extensive experience in plasma therapeutics. Sean has a proven track record of growing business and building lasting partnerships for companies such as Grifols, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer. Lisa Betts , Chief Operating Officer at GC Biopharma USA , says the following about Sean: "He's everything we'd hoped to find in a sales and marketing leader. He's authentic, earnest, experienced, and passionate about the IG industry. His core values align perfectly with the unique leadership team we are building." Sean shares his excitement: "When I joined the GC Biopharma USA leadership team, I was inspired by how differently they approach the business. It's not just about business; it's about relationships and the communities they serve. It was something I knew I wanted to be a part of." He adds: "I'm always struck by the strength and resourcefulness of patients who take the initiative to find answers, especially those living with rare diseases. It propels me to push harder. That's partly why I joined this growing team. It's a great opportunity to have a real impact." Sean Zam's appointment further contributes to GC's vision of establishing excellence within its US-based operations. About GC Biopharma GC Biopharma USA , headquartered in Teaneck, NJ , established its sales, marketing, and business operations in 2018 to serve customers and patients throughout the US. Our foundation is built on the expertise of our parent company GC Biopharma, a leading biopharmaceutical company delivering plasma therapies and vaccines worldwide for more than 50 years. With GC Biopharma USA , GC Biopharma will further extend its footprint, bringing its expertise and legacy to the US. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that express the current beliefs and expectations of the management at GC Biopharma and GC Biopharma USA . Such views do not represent any guarantee by either entity or its government of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. GC Biopharma and GC Biopharma USA undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements they may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. ©2024 GC Biopharma USA , Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ALY-C-0074 11/2024 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sean-zam-named-head-of-sales-and-marketing-at-gc-biopharma-usa-302314539.html SOURCE GC Biopharma USA Inc.Key details about the man accused of killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO
President-elect wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don’t change their clocks at all.FACT FOCUS: Vermont ruling does not say schools can vaccinate children without parental consent
Robbie Avila scores 19 to lead Saint Louis over winless Chicago State 85-62Formula E racing burst upon the motorsports scene back in 2015, aimed at testing the limits of battery-electric vehicles. Now the founder of the FIA-approved series, Alejandro Agag, is giving fuel cells an opportunity to show off. His latest project, the hydrogen fuel cell-only racing series Extreme H, is on track for a 2025 launch hitting Saudi Arabia, the UK, Germany, and Italy before winding up in the US. Those of you following Agag’s ventures in all-electric motorsports will not be surprised to see fuel cells make their way to the front. Always looking to push the boundaries of energy storage, Agag was not put off by the relatively short range of EV batteries when he launched the first Formula E racing series in 2015. Instead of stopping for a recharge, each racing team fielded two identical cars — including identical tires — and swapped them out as needed. “If you’re wondering about battery range, the thinkers and doers behind Formula E wanted to make the races long enough to be interesting, which complicates things in terms of refueling,” I noted in a preview of the inaugural 2015 season. “For the first season, rather than slowing things down to a crawl by stopping for a recharge, the Formula E teams are switching entire cars.” Simply swapping out the battery was another option, but the state of battery swapping technology was not racing-ready back in 2013, when Agag first announced his vision for Formula E (the technology has improved since then — see more EV battery swapping background here ). Agag already had fuel cells on his mind back in 2014, when he made an appearance at the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit in New York City. “Energy storage was front and center in Agag’s discussion,” I reported for CleanTechnica from the BNEF Summit. “While much of the Formula E technology has counterparts in Formula 1, the Formula E battery is still not ready for prime time in terms of capacity.” “The name of the game is still the battery, or maybe fuel cells, or supercapacitors. We are waiting for that breakthrough in storage,” Agag emphasized. Agag gave fuel cells a trial run in the Extreme E series. The followup to Formula E, Extreme E showcases the off-road performance of battery-electric SUVs. That includes finding someplace off-grid to recharge. To get that done, Extreme E deploys a transportable off-grid charging station powered by hydrogen fuel cells, with the hydrogen sourced onsite by solar-powered electrolysis systems . That’s not quite the same as using fuel cells to run an electric racing car around a track. However, the charging station demonstration fulfilled a key goal, with Extreme E noting that it showcases “the vast potential for today’s newest clean power technologies to displace polluting diesel generators that are responsible for a large proportion of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.” As described by the Extreme E team, fuel cells will more than make up for lost time when the Extreme H series kicks off next year. Extreme E unveiled the new Extreme H racing car last summer under the name of Pioneer 25. Each team will field an almost identical version of the Pioneer 25, with just a few areas open for variation. “ One open area for teams is the ability to redesign front and rear bodywork and lights in order to replicate the look of everyday car models,” Extreme E explained. That reference to “everyday car models” may seem somewhat less than exciting in terms of motorsports. However, it evokes the off-the-shelf appeal of the US organization NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing), and it reaffirms Agag’s commitment to exposing the car-buying public to up-and-coming vehicle electrification technology. Spark Racing Technology is credited with engineering the new car, featuring a hydrogen Symbio fuel cell. “The Pioneer 25’s peak 400kW (550hp) output is capable of firing the 2200 kilogram, 2.4 metre-wide race car from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and scale gradients of up to 130 percent,” Extreme E explains. As is common in the fuel cell EV field, Pioneer 25 sports a battery pack in addition to the fuel cell. “The hydrogen fuel cell powers the battery pack that is produced and supported trackside by Fortescue ZERO,” Extreme E notes. As for why not just use fuel cells, that’s a good question. The US Department of Energy lists various reasons why batteries play a role in fuel cell EVs, such as recapturing energy from braking , providing extra power during short acceleration events, “smoothing out” power from fuel cells, and providing the option to turn the fuel cell off when the opportunity presents itself. Truck makers and other automotive stakeholders are also beginning to explore the potential for fuel cells to act as range extenders for battery EVs . Despite the shoutout to everyday cars, Extreme H is not focused on kickstarting the mass market for street-legal fuel cell cars, at least not yet. At the present time, heavy-duty trucks, construction vehicles, and similar applications are considered the low hanging fruit for fuel cells due to their larger power requirements. The hydrogen supply chain will also needs a makeover. Green hydrogen from water electrolysis is expensive, which is not an issue for niche applications like motorsports. The mass market is a different story altogether. At the present time, the primary source of inexpensive hydrogen on the global market is natural gas, with coal playing a secondary part. The green hydrogen industry would have to scale up and bring costs down in order to compete. For the most part, Extreme H aims to carve out a niche for zero emission fuel cells as the motorsports field begins transitioning into a low-carbon model. “The Pioneer 25 racing car ... is designed to demonstrate the viability and performance capabilities of hydrogen fuel cells, setting a new standard for eco-friendly motorsport,” Extreme E explains. “It’s important for every motorsport series to have a unique selling point and hydrogen is very significant,” Agag emphasizes, though he also notes that the benefits could ripple beyond motorsports. “Our evolution to Extreme H makes us the first-ever testbed of hydrogen technology in motorsport — not only in our racing cars, but also transportation, infrastructure, refuelling processes and safety regulations,” he adds for good measure. That ripple effect is already evident in various hydrogen hub projects taking shape here in the US and around the world. That includes the Kingdom of Monaco, which hosted a publicity event featuring the Pioneer 25 earlier this week. The event was timed to coincide with an annual meeting of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance, which is on a mission to leverage the tiny country’s high profile in support of the global green hydrogen industry . Follow me via LinkTree , or @tinamcasey on Threads, LinkedIn, and Bluesky. Photo (cropped): Fuel cells provide the power for the new Pioneer 25 Extreme H race car , featured in a publicity event in Monaco earlier this week (courtesy of Extreme E). CleanTechnica's Comment Policy LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook X Email Mastodon Reddit
Visa Inc. Cl A stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms marketTiger Woods at the 2024 Hero World Challenge. Getty Images There were plenty of good vibes emanating from Tiger Woods’ Tuesday reappearance in the Bahamas, his annual State of the Tiger press conference ahead of this week’s Hero World Challenge . Woods isn’t playing this year but he seemed at peace with that, instead reprising his role as smiley tournament host. These days, Woods is largely congenial with the press and vice-versa, each owing a better understanding of what to expect from the other. As expected, the day’s back-and-forth failed to unearth any five-alarm breaking news. In some ways that was the biggest takeaway. But one line was hard to hear without wincing. Woods was asked about a prediction he’d made a year ago in this same chair, when he’d declared his intentions to play once per month in 2024. It seemed ambitious but exciting at the time, a dose of optimism from the greatest player of his generation. But it didn’t pan out that way. Woods’ 2024 began with a mysterious WD at the Genesis Invitational, it peaked with yet another made cut at the Masters and then came disappointing MCs at the PGA, U.S. Open and Open Championship. We didn’t hear much from him after that, just news of another successful back surgery — his sixth. So what happened? “Well, I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year,” Woods said. He described the pain that progressed throughout the season, the way it radiated down his leg, and how it stopped responding to treatment and recovery. He said he could commit to one tournament per month again, but he paused. “I truly don’t know.” Now comes the hard part. Prep mode for 2025, a year that promises the TGL and some unknown number of stroke-play golf tournaments. But 2024? “This year was kind of — I had to toss it away,” he said. “I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be. I didn’t play as much as I needed to going into the major championships and I didn’t play well at them. Hopefully next year will be better, I’ll be physically stronger and better. I know the procedure helped and hopefully I can build upon that.” I had to toss it away. It’s painful to witness pain in another human being. It’s even harder to see what pain does to an athlete — how the body can betray the mind and the spirit. It’s painful to watch Woods in particular, who has pushed his body, mind and spirit past the limit for decades, and is now fighting Father Time for good measure. Woods’ words were painful too in the context of his other work as a central figure in the PGA Tour’s geopolitical negotiations — his lost year on the course felt emblematic of a lost year across the fragmented landscape of professional golf, which remains in frustrating limbo. This December marks the first anniversary of the original deal deadline between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund. It seems like we’ll breeze past that unfortunate one-year mark without an agreement; Woods’ latest update on that front was a mix between some cautious optimism (“definitely moving”) and one giant shrug (“Even if we had gotten a deal done by now, it’s still in the DOJ’s hands, but we wish we would have had something more concrete”). Across the sport, it was hardly a lost year — think Scottie Scheffler’s stretch of dominance , Xander Schauffele’s validation , Bryson DeChambeau’s U.S. Open heroics . But within the sport, “high-level negotiations” between the interested parties are beginning to feel like intransigence. We’ve seen no progress on a satisfying top-tour resolution, inched no closer to peace or harmony, and we’ve reached December, again, staring down an offseason of LIV signing rumors and merger non-update eye-rolls. At this week’s Hero, we might not find comfort. But through Woods, we might at least find context. This year marks the 25th edition of the World Challenge, an event Woods first hosted in 1999 to benefit his foundation. Woods turns 49 later this month, which means he’s hosted this event for more than half his life. Mostly that seems surreal. Tiger turned 24 in his first year as tournament host, and it’s tough to imagine Ludvig Aberg (who turned 25 last month) or Akshay Bhatia (who turns 23 next month) hosting an invitational or getting the world’s best pros to turn up. But the 25th anniversary of this event is also a reminder that the issues facing pro golf in 2024 haven’t changed much from 1999. Woods was already the biggest player in golf then. He entered the 1999 World Challenge off four PGA Tour victories in a row, he’d kick off 2000 with two more and, later that year, he’d claim the first three legs of the Tiger Slam. But it wasn’t all sunshine and roses; Woods and agent Mark Steinberg had their issues with the operations of the PGA Tour. They didn’t appreciate the hefty rights fee the Tour charged their tournament, which quadrupled from 1999 to 2000. Nor did they approve of the ads used by tournament sponsors featuring Woods’ likeness. (Mercedes plastered Woods’ face on tournament advertising while Buick paid Woods directly for the same privilege.) Tiger and commissioner Tim Finchem had a frosty relationship, and there was even some concern Woods could look to play his golf elsewhere. “The players and the PGA Tour have been bucking heads on a lot of issues,” Woods said in 2000. “The public has no idea we do it, but we do it all the time.” Asked about speculation that he could leave the PGA Tour, the New York Times described his reaction this way : “Woods hummed, smiled and shrugged his shoulders.” His father Earl fueled the speculation. “He can take his game to Europe, Africa, Asia or wherever he wants,” Earl told the Associated Press, “and the world will follow.” Unlike today, when the tangible threat of departure can beam its advertising on the PGA Tour website, the conversation then was likely just chatter and leverage. Woods and the PGA Tour were better in shared company. But Woods’ displeasure was a reminder of the perennial push-pull between players and institutions — a push-pull echoed by LIV’s arrival, by Policy Board negotiations, by changing field sizes and Tour sizes and equity payments and media rights. And by the discourse around players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup, an issue that resurfaced again at Tiger’s presser on Tuesday. “Going back to my playing days, we had the same conversation back in ’99 and we didn’t want to get paid, we wanted to give more money to charity, and the media turned it around against us and said we want to get paid,” Woods recalled on Tuesday. “The Ryder Cup itself makes so much money, why can’t we allocate it to various charities? And what’s wrong with each player, 12 players getting a million dollars and the ability to divvy out to amazing charities that they’re involved in that they can help out?” A final reference to 1999 came in reference to Woods’ swing changes at the time, and here he made an effort to correct the record. As time has gone by Earl has gotten painted as Woods’ swing coach, but after his early golf days that was never really the case. “My father turned over all the keys to the golf swing, that wasn’t his thing,” Woods said. “My father understood more the mental side of it from his operational days in Special Forces and the mindset that it took to do what he had to do, but as far as golf mechanics, no.” In 1999, Woods underwent a controversial swing change under the watchful eye of Butch Harmon. First things got worse, and then they got much, much better. “We went to work on slowly integrating pieces of the golf swing and it took the better part of a year and a half or so to where it got to where I thought it was where I would like it to be. I had a good run in ’99, 2000, 2001,” Woods said in an understated, satisfied sort of way. The players battled the tour then, as now. They fought for more money, more control, a bigger piece of the pie. They threatened to look elsewhere. Largely they stayed. They battled tough fields and their own swings, and they tweaked both and tried to make ’em better. At the time, Woods did all of those things better than nearly all of his peers. They’ve nearly all gotten tougher with time. On Tuesday, Woods didn’t just look back, though. This is the 10th anniversary of Hero’s sponsorship of the World Challenge, and while Hero’s executive chairman Dr. Pawan Munjal admitted uncertainty — “There is confusion for the sponsors as well right now, what to do, where to go, how to look at the future,” — he also announced a sponsorship extension through 2030. Woods will turn 55 that December. It’s tough to predict the status of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour or their potential intersection. And it’s tough to know whether Woods will have stepped away from competitive golf altogether by that point — or if he’ll be teeing it up as a sponsor invite that week having made the cut at the Masters and dominated in a limited schedule on the PGA Tour Champions. Woods talked about the athlete’s journey and about the roles of recovery, patience, and frustration. His body doesn’t recover like it used to, he said. Still, he remembers and he hopes. Which brings us to his other line, uttered by athletes and sports fans as long as there have been seasons. Hopefully next year will be better. Latest In News Golf.com Editor Dylan Dethier is a senior writer for GOLF Magazine/GOLF.com. The Williamstown, Mass. native joined GOLF in 2017 after two years scuffling on the mini-tours. Dethier is a graduate of Williams College, where he majored in English, and he’s the author of 18 in America , which details the year he spent as an 18-year-old living from his car and playing a round of golf in every state.
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